Rep. Cleaver and Community Leaders Highlight Local Impact of USDA Urban Agricultural Hub Designation and Launch of KC Farmers Market Passport

"When I sought designation for Kansas City to be an Urban Agricultural Hub, this is what I envisioned - community leaders, policymakers, and local farmers coming together, accessing resources, and promoting community," said Congressman Cleaver. "Urban agriculture isn't just about growing food; it's about cultivating communities and sowing the seeds of sustainability throughout our city. By embracing urban farming, we nourish both our bodies and our neighborhoods, fostering a sense of shared purpose and stewardship for our environment. As the local USDA Urban Service Center gets up and running, I look forward to seeing more urban farms access the resources they need to continue to strengthen farms of all sizes in Kansas City."

"I am thrilled to join Congressman Cleaver, other elected officials, and our fantastic group of urban growers - many who call the 3^rd district home - as we launch this creative endeavor," said Councilwoman Patterson Hazley. "Touted as a food desert, I am delighted that we are finally highlighting the truly grassroots efforts aimed at elevating our community's ancestral, deeply rooted, commitment to health and nutrition."

"The Kansas City Health Department works together with communities and partners to improve the health and well-being of all Kansas City residents. We do this by organizing and partnering with community-directed programs and services, such as the Kansas City Farmers Market Passport Launch and Urban Farming Expo," said Dr. Marvia Jones, Kansas City Health Department Director. "Urban growers represent a community-driven movement to increase residents' access to fresh fruits and vegetables, regardless of where they live. Access to healthy food is important in preventing chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. As the Health Director, I am excited about this collaboration!"

Sponsored by Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council and Cultivate KC, the event gathered key stakeholders in the local agricultural community to share about the opportunity for relationship building through the launch of this new program.

"Kansas City Community Gardens is excited by the growth and momentum we have seen in urban agriculture in Kansas City in recent years," said Jennifer Meyer, Executive Director, Kansas City Community Gardens. "We are honored to host today's event and to connect with growers and policy makers as we celebrate the start of the 2024 growing season."

"Urban agriculture increases the resilience of our community by generating income for urban farmers, creating greenspaces, and increasing food access," said Brien Darby, Executive Director, Cultivate KC. "So much of the urban agriculture activity in Kansas City, MO is centered in the third and fifth council districts. This will be an opportunity to highlight the diversity of projects happening in these thriving parts of our community."

"As both an urban grower and nonprofit leader seeking to address food insecurity in my community, I am ecstatic that this the market passport and urban farming expo will facilitate an opportunity for the local agriculture community and policymakers to discuss real policy changes that create a more equitable food system here in Kansas City," said Alana Henry, Executive Director, Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council. "We are grateful for the partners and advocates in this work."

Photos from the press conference are available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.